Dental fillings which release fluoride

[Milady]

Hello all!

I am in need of a filling but have postponed it while I try and find out if it will affect my thyroid. They want to use a Glass Ionomer filling which contains fluoride which will be released on the tooth. I wonder if anyone has thoughts about this? I don't use fluoride toothpaste, but I do drink some tea. Our water isn't fluoridated. Not sure if this could be something that lays me low or not! (and whether the release could just be compensated by thyroxin for a period, if so... ).

Any advice gratefully received!

[greygoose]

The fluoride in tea is not the same as the fluoride in toothpaste. The fluoride used in toothpaste is industrial waste, not the natural fluoride in tea. I have never heard of this type of filling you're talking about. What are its advantages?

The thing about fluoride is not just it's affect on the thyroid, it can also affect the brain. So, it's not just a question of compensating with levo for the damage caused to the thyroid. I do find the whole idea of a fluoride filling very strange.

[Milady in reply to greygoose]

I find it quite strange too! but I guess fluoride is so accepted as good for you (hence the difficulty in stopping fluoridated water) that they think it's a good idea. It's a side filling, not a top filling, so they use something different which is more of a cover, not mercury/whatever the white equivalent is.

gosh, didn't know it could have effects on the brain too!

[greygoose in reply to Milady]

Industrial fluoride is pretty evil stuff.

I'm ashamed to say that I never questioned what was in my fillings, but the mercury fillings are the silver ones. No idea what's in the white ones, though.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I've never heard of Glass Ionomer filling so I looked it up. Apparently it's quite a weak one generally used on baby teeth and non-biting surfaces which have is probably why they've suggested that type for your side filling. Is this a private dentist or NHS? I imagine the NHS would use the cheapest.

[Milady in reply to SeasideSusie]

NHS! Thanks for looking it up